If you missed our Browns cornerback preview piece, you can check it out here. But moving away from the cornerbacks, let’s take a look at the other part of the defensive secondary. In terms of the safety position, the Browns seemed to be severely lacking in 2016. But, as the case seems with a lot of positions on Cleveland’s roster, they remedied that in the draft. Selecting Jabrill Peppers in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Browns are hoping that he can improve their secondary. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s look at the entirety of the Browns safety depth chart.
Cleveland Browns Safety Depth Chart Projections
Strong Safety
1. Derrick Kindred
Coming out of TCU in 2016, Derrick Kindred became a Brown in the fourth round of the draft. Now, that pick might be paying off for the Browns. Many reports from around Berea claim that Kindred has wowed at camp and has made the leap to become a starting safety. Last year, Browns coaches told Kindred that he could compete with Jordan Poyer for the starting job. However, that never truly materialized. Kindred did make some starts, but suffered an injury during the bye week. This season, he should be ready for the starting strong safety spot.
2. Ibraheim Campbell
Another Cleveland Browns safety draft pick, Ibraheim Campbell joined the squad in 2015. Although he doesn’t seem to have the upside of Kindred, he’ll be a terrific reserve for when Kindred needs to come out of the game. Campbell is tremendously aggressive and loves to get after the football, which works great for Gregg Williams‘s defense. Not only that, but his leadership and character are second to none. If Cleveland is looking for a developing locker room leader on the defensive side, they’ve found one in Ibraheim Campbell.
3. Calvin Pryor
There’s not much to say about Calvin Pryor that hasn’t already been said. Sure, he’s a competent safety, but it seems the Browns traded for him out of necessity. Pryor is still one of the NFL’s young bucks, coming into the league in 2014. Pryor is one of the most physical players on this Browns defense, which Coach Williams surely loves. However, he might play with a little too much reckless abandon sometimes. In any case, Pryor might not see much time at strong safety this year, unless Campbell or Kindred are injured.
Free Safety
1. Ed Reynolds
In a turn of incredible events, Ed Reynolds had somewhat of a breakout season in 2016. While the Cleveland Browns defense as a whole was awful, Reynolds was a definite bright spot. Of course, he’s injured now. “Classic Browns,” one might say. But Reynolds will definitely back soon, and he’ll be back with a serious vengeance. There might be other players coming for his tentative starting job, and Reynolds probably isn’t going to like that.
2. Jabrill Peppers
Players coming for Ed Reynolds’s starting job? Exhibit A: Jabrill Peppers. Coming out of Michigan this year, many scouts either saw Peppers as a boom or a serious bust. It looks like the Browns are willing to take their chances, as Peppers is now a part of the Dawg Pound. Wherever he lands on the roster, one thing is for sure. Jabrill Peppers will find a home on this Cleveland defense. Whether as a cornerback, safety, punt returner, or even a linebacker, he will find a place.
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